Don MacArthur

Don MacArthur, known as “The Practical Engineer,” is a Guest Contributor to In Compliance Magazine with over 30 years of experience in robust design, measurement systems, EMC/ESD and safety engineering, and reliability. He has worked across defense, industrial, and critical‑infrastructure technologies, helping teams understand system behavior, failure modes, and measurement validity. Don specializes in making complex engineering concepts accessible—turning physics, standards, and real‑world performance requirements into practical guidance that strengthens immunity, improves durability, and supports mission‑profile reliability.
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From This Author

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Choosing the Right Antenna for Compliance Testing: A Practical Guide

Choosing the right antenna can make or break your compliance testing results. This practical guide walks engineers through the essentials—frequency range, polarization, gain, and directivity—while decoding which antenna types deliver the most accurate, reliable measurements in real‑world EMC and RF test environments.
Practical Engineering

Compliance Engineering in a Global Marketplace: Managing Standards Across Borders

Global market expansion demands rigorous compliance with diverse, fast‑changing international standards. From CE marking and FCC rules to RoHS, REACH, and regional EMC requirements, organizations must strategically align design, testing, and documentation to ensure seamless market access and reduce regulatory risk.
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Designing for ESD Immunity: Insights from Compliance Testing

Electrostatic discharge remains one of the most unpredictable threats in electronics design. This article uncovers how ESD simulators expose hidden vulnerabilities, reveals the most common compliance‑testing failures, and shares practical, engineering‑focused strategies to build products that can survive real‑world shocks and stay reliably in the field.
Practical Engineering

Bridging Theory and Practice: How to Implement Compliance Standards in Product Design

Compliance isn't a final checkpoint—it's a design foundation. Integrating regulatory standards early prevents costly redesigns, accelerates certification, and ensures market approval. Discover practical strategies for building compliance into product development from day one.
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The Backbone of EMC Testing: RF Amplifiers and Their Role in Ensuring Compliance

Behind every successful EMC compliance test is a high-quality RF amplifier. Learn how these devices generate required field strengths, suppress unwanted harmonics, and maintain stable operation during demanding radiated immunity testing in semi-anechoic chambers.
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Practical Engineering

Future Trends in EMC and Compliance Engineering

Explore the future of electromagnetic compatibility and compliance engineering. From 5G and IoT to AI-driven testing and electric vehicles, discover emerging technologies, innovations, and challenges shaping EMC standards and ensuring reliable, interference-free electronic systems.
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Design Considerations for EMC Test Chambers

Planning an EMC test chamber? Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test chambers are specialized facilities for evaluating electronic devices against electromagnetic interference. This guide explores essential design considerations—including RF absorber selection, shielding materials, and chamber configuration—to help engineers create accurate, compliant testing environments that meet industry standards.
Practical Engineering

EMC Compliance in Wireless Devices

Wireless devices face a perfect storm of EMC challenges—high frequencies, cramped circuits, multiple antennas battling for space, and noisy urban environments. Discover how industry giants like Apple, Fitbit, and Tesla engineer their way around electromagnetic chaos through ingenious shielding, filtering, and design tricks that keep your gadgets running flawlessly.
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Case Studies and Real-World Applications of EMI Filters

By understanding the real-world applications and significance of EMI filters, engineers can design and implement effective solutions to manage electromagnetic interference across various industries, ensuring the smooth operation and compliance of electronic systems.
Practical Engineering

Regulatory Standards for EMC Compliance

Wondering how electronics pass EMC compliance? This guide breaks down essential standards from CISPR, IEC, FCC, and more—plus real-world examples from smartphone makers, automakers, and medical device manufacturers. Learn the testing requirements, documentation needs, and practical techniques companies use to ensure their products won't cause or suffer from electromagnetic interference.
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